CONSTITUTION 


and 

BY- LAWS 
of  tTie 

CENTRAL  LABOR  UNION 
Of  PLiladelpLia  arid. 
Vicinity 


1900 


AtPsc 
\  ^  0\ 


Printed  by 

The  New  Era  Co-operative  Press 


1308  Drury  Street ,  below  Chestnut 
Philadelphia 


PREAMBLE 


Whereas,  It  has  been  fully  demonstrated  by 
experience  that  unity  of  action  and  organiza¬ 
tion  among  working  people  are  imperative  and 
essential  in  order  to  combat  the  ever-growing 
encroachments  of  organized  and  consolidated 
capital,  and  as  there  are  many  questions  affect¬ 
ing  the  interest  of  the  working  classes  which 
cannot  be  dealt  with  in  special  and  separate 
Trade  and  Labor  Unions,  and  as  that  end  can 
be  best  attained  by  a  central  organization, 
through  which  all  branches  of  labor  may  prove 
allies  to  any  particular  one  that  may  be  op¬ 
pressed,  and  all  may  form  a  Brotherhood  for 
the  defense  and  protection  of  the  laboring 
masses ;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  delegates  of  the  va¬ 
rious  Trade  and  Labor  Unions  here  repre¬ 
sented,  do  hereby  form  the  Central  Labor 
Union  of  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity,  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  and  concentrating  the 
efforts  of  the  working  classes  for  their  own 
mutual  protection,  education  and  social  ad¬ 
vancement,  and  to  that  end  we  adopt  the  fol¬ 
lowing  : 


DECLARATION  OF  PRINCIPLES 


We  hold  that  labor  produces  all  wealth ; 
therefore  the  worker  is  entitled  to  the  full  pro¬ 
duct  of  his  labors.  But  when  wealth-producers 
live  in  poverty  and  idlers  roll  in  luxury,  it  is 
very  evident  that  the  industrial  system  which 
permits  such  conditions  must  be  wrong,  and 
requires  a  thorough  change. 

It  is  self-evident  that,  as  the  power  of  capital 
combines  and  increases,  the  political  freedom 
of  the  masses  becomes  more  and  more  a  de¬ 
lusion.  There  can  be  no  harmony  between 
capital  and  labor  under  the  present  industrial 
system,  for  the  simple  reason  that  capital,  in 
its  modern  character,  consists  very  largely  of 
rent,  interest  and  profit  extorted  from  the  pro¬ 
ducers,  who  possess  neither  the  land  nor  the 
means  of  production,  and  are,  therefore,  com¬ 
pelled  to  sell  their  labor  and  brain-power,  or 
both,  to  the  possessor  of  the  land  and  means  of 
production  at  such  prices  as  an  uncertain  and 
speculative  market  may  allow.  Organization 
of  Trades  and  Labor  Unions  is  one  of  the  most 
effective  means  to  check  the  evil  outgrowths  of 
the  prevailing  system,  but  they  must  keep  pace 
with  the  progress  of  the  age  and  with  the 
march  of  advanced  ideas. 

While  Trade  and  Labor  Unions  hitherto  have 


o 


struggled  for  higher  wages  or  shorter  hours 
of  labor,  they  have  practically  protected  them¬ 
selves  as  producers,  but  not  as  consumers  and 
citizens.  The  ruling  moneyed  class  has  mean¬ 
while  obtained  legal  sanction  to  wring  from 
the  workers  all  the  benefit  that  strikes  and 
resistance  gained;  and  this  has  been  done  by 
exacting  high  rents,  costly  transportation,  gi¬ 
gantic  corners  in  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  by 
monopolizing  the  issue  of  money.  The  privi¬ 
leged  classes  have  used  the  police,  militia,  and 
even  the  Federal  troops,  against  the  workers 
whenever  they  felt  their  interests  in  danger. 
And  yet  Trades  and  Labor  Unions  go  so  far  as 
to  prohibit  the  discussion  of  such  topics  in 
their  meetings,  and  their  members  vote  in  favor 
of  the  representatives  of  the  very  class  that 
oppresses  them. 

The  emancipation  of  the  working  classes 
must  be  achieved  by  the  working  classes  them¬ 
selves,  as  no  other  class  has  any  interest  in 
improving  their  condition.  The  combined  wage¬ 
working  class  represents  the  great  majority  of 
the  people.  In  their  hands  rests  the  future  of 
our  free  institutions,  and  it  devolves  upon  them 
to  replace  the  present  iniquitous  system  by  one 
based  upon  equity  and  the  nobility  of  all  useful 
labor. 

We  regard  it  as  the  sacred  duty  of  every 
honorable  laboring  man  to  devote  his  energy 
and  attention  to  the  organization  of  his  Trade 
and  Labor  Union,  and  the  concentration  of  all 
Unions  into  one  solid  body  for  the  purpose  of 
assisting  each  other  in  all  struggles — political 
and  industrial — to  resist  every  attempt  of  the 


6 


rilling  classes  directed  against  our  liberties,  and  | 
to  extend  our  fraternal  hand  to  the  workers  of 
our  land  and  to  all  nations  of  the  globe  that 
struggle  for  the  same  independence. 

In  order  to  secure  the  emancipation  of  the 
wage-workers  we  pledge  ourselves  to  the  fol¬ 
lowing  : 


Platform 

Municipal,  State  and  National  Issues. 

1.  The  public  ownership  of  all  means  of 
transportation  and  communication,  and  all 
other  public  utilities,  as  well  as  of  all  indus¬ 
tries  controlled  by  monopolies,  trusts  and  com¬ 
bines.  No  part  of  the  revenue  of  such  in¬ 
dustries  to  be  applied  to  the  reduction  of  taxes 
on  property  of  the  employing  class ;  but  to  be 
applied  wholly  to  the  increase  of  wages  and 
shortening  of  the  hours  of  labor  of  the  em¬ 
ployes,  to  the  improvement  of  the  service  and 
diminishing  the  rates  to  the  consumers. 

2.  The  progressive  reduction  of  the  hours  of 
labor  and  the  increase  of  wages  in  order  to 
decrease  the  share  of  the  capitalist  and  increase 
the  share  of  the  worker  in  the  product  of  labor. 

3.  State  or  national  insurance  of  working- 
people  in  case  of  accidents,  lack  of  employ¬ 
ment,  sickness  and  want  in  old  age ;  the  funds 
for  this  purpose  to  be  furnished  by  the  gov¬ 
ernment  and  to  be  administered  under  the  con¬ 
trol  of  the  working  class. 

4.  The  inauguration  of  a  system  of  public  in- 


t 


ustries,  public  credit  to  be  used  for  that  pur¬ 
pose  in  order  that  the  workers  be  secure  in  the 
ull  product  of  their  labor. 

5.  The  compulsory  education  of  all  children 
ip  to  the  age  of  18  years,  and  State  and  mu- 
licipal  aid  for  books,  clothing  and  food. 

6.  Equal  civil  and  political  rights  for  men 
md  women. 

7.  Equal  initiative  and  referendum,  propor- 
:ional  representation  and  the  right  of  recall  of 
representatives  by  their  constituents.  . 

8.  Taxation  of  land  values  irrespective  of  im¬ 
provements. 

9.  Sanitary  inspection  of  mines,  workshops 
and  dwellings. 

10.  Payment  of  wages  in  lawful  money  and 
abolition  of  truck  pay. 

11.  Liability  of  employers  for  injury  to 
health,  body  or  loss  of  life. 

12.  Abolition  of  national  banks,  and  substi¬ 
tution  for  their  notes  legal  tender  treasury 
notes.  Issue  of  all  money  direct  by  the  gov¬ 
ernment,  and  establishment  of  postal  deposit 
and  savings  banks. 

13.  Adoption  of  a  constitutional  amendment 
requiring  the  election  of  the  President  and 
Vice-President,  Judges  and  Senators  by  direct 
vote  of  the  people. 

14.  Thorough  revision  of  the  judiciary  laws. 

15.  Abolition  of  all  indirect  taxes. 

16.  Enactment  of  laws  abolishing  the  sweat¬ 
ing  system. 

1 7.  That  not  another  acre  of  the  public  land 
shall  ever  be  granted  to  any  State  or  Territory 
for  any  purpose  whatsoever,  or  to  anyone  other 


8 


on  thf  1  aCi"  irtler  vvho  has  b«i't  his  hon 
rf^TW.tf  h.ved,on  ^  five  years, 
irrigation  l thlnatl°na  government  shall  buil 

in  reach  of  =  ttf  necessary  to  bring  water  witl 
in  reach  of  settlers  on  the  public  lands,  the  co 

of  such  works  to  be  repaid  to  the  governmer 

hiterest!  ^  ”  anm,al  instaI1ments  withoil 

That  the  national  government,  as  a  par 

buildSthPe° 'Cy  t°f  internal  improvements,  sha 
build  the  gi  eat  reservoirs  necessary  to  save  fo 

beneficial  use  the  flood  waters  that  now  run  t 
waste  m  the  and  region  and  shall  preserve  th 
forests  and  re-forest  denuded  areas  as  source 
of  water  shall  supply. 

Pour  Tha*  Ia?d  ^hal1  be  subdivided  into  smal 
holdings  m  the  hands  of  those  who  will  till 
it  for  a  livelihood ;  so  that  labor  may  find  oc 
cupation  in  the  creation  of  rural  homes,  whicl 
will  be  perpetual  safeguards  against  the  po 
htical  evils  and  social  discontent  resulting  from 
the  overgrowth  of  cities  and  the  sufferings  of 
unemployed  wage  earners. 


CONSTITUTION 


ARTICLE  I. 

Section  i. — This  organization  shall  be  known 
as  the  CENTRAL  LABOR  UNION  OF 
PHILADELPHIA  AND  VICINITY,  and 
shall  be  composed  of  delegates  as  hereinafter 
provided,  who  shall  also  be  delegates  to  their 
respective  sections. 

Sec.  2. — Its  objects  shall  be:  to  establish  a 
system  of  financial  assistance  for  sister  societies 
in  time  of  difficulties ;  to  act  as  a  Board  of  Arbi¬ 
tration  in  labor  disputes ;  to  organize  a  system 
of  statistics;  to  discuss  and  examine  all  ques¬ 
tions  affecting  the  interests  of  the  working 
classes ;  to  use  every  endeavor  to  impress  upon 
the  various  branches  of  labor  the  necessity  for 
the  organization  and  maintenance  of  Protective 
Unions;  to  assist  in  the  formation  of  Trade 
and  Labor  Societies  where  none  exist ;  to  use 
every  honorable  means  in  our  power  to  adjust 
difficulties  which  may  arise  between  workmen 
and  employers. 

Sec.  3. — We  hereby  pledge  ourselves  to  assist 
each  other  in  securing  the  highest  wages  pro¬ 
curable  to  the  workers  by  all  honorable  means ; 


10 


we  shall  withdraw,  all  patronage  and  businea 
from  any  unfair  employer,  let  the  calling  l 
what  it  may. 


ARTICLE  II. 


Representation. 

Section  i. — This  body  shall  be  composed  c 
delegates  from  any  bona  fide  Union  Sectioj 
of  Central  Labor  Union  as  follows : 

Sec.  2. — Delegates  shall  be  elected  by  thei 
Section  to  serve  six  months,  or  as  the  Sectio 
may  direct,  and  must  deposit  their  credential 
with  the  Recording  Secretary,  but  shall  hav 
no  voice  in  the  proceedings  until  their  credefi 
tials  be  approved,  unless  by  consent. 

SEC.  3. — The  following  form  ot  credenti; 
shall  be  properly  filled  out  by  the  Section  hav 
ing  a  delegate  representation,  signed  by  thei 
President  and  Secretary: 


Philadelphia,  Pa . 

This  is  to  certify  that . of  No.  .  . . 

.  street,  was  duly  elected  a  delegat 

from . Section  to  the  Central  Labo 

Union  of  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity. 

If  elected  to  fill  unexpired  term  of  sonn 
former  delegate,  give  the  name  of  the  forme 
delegate  here . 


. President. 

Secretary,  . 

[Seal.]  No . Street. 


Sec.  4. — Non-attendance  at  two  regular  meet 
ings  without  excuse  shall  be  sufficient  cause  foi 


11 


r.claring  a  member’s  seat  vacant,  and  the  Pres¬ 
ent  shall  so  recommend  it,  and  notice  of 
e  same  shall  be  sent  by  the  Corresponding 
icretary  to  the  Section  by  which  such  dele- 
ite  was  elected,  nor  shall  such  delegate  be 
rain  eligible  until  the  term  for  which  he  was 
ected  has  expired. 

Sec.  5  —  Each  Section  shall  have  the  privilege 
i:  sending  a  substitute  in  case  of  sickness  or 
her  cause. 

ARTICLE  hi. 

)!• 

f  Officers . 

Section  i. — The  regular  officers  of  this  body 
lall  consist  of : 

(a)  President. 

(b)  Vice-President. 

(c)  Recording  Secretary. 

(d)  Financial  Secretary-Treasurer. 

(e)  Sergeant-at-Arms. 

(f)  Three  Trustees. 

$KC>  2. — The  regular  officers  shall  be  elected 
t  the  first  meeting  in  the  months  of  January 
nd  July,  and  shall  hold  office  for  a  term  of  six 
lonths,  or  until  their  successors  are  qualified ; 
'xcepting  the  Trustees,  one  to  be  elected  every 

ix  months.  . 

Sec.  3. — Before  entering  upon  their  duties  the 
^resident  shall  deliver  the  following  obliga- 
i°n: 

. ,  do  pledge  my  word  and  honor 

efore  these  witnesses  that  I  will  discharge  the 
luties  devolving  on  me  as  an  officer  of  the 
Central  Labor  Union  of  Philadelphia  and  Vi- 


12 


cinity,  as  prescribed  by  the  Constitution  a i 
By-Laws,  and  that  I  shall  return  all  mone) 
books  and  property  whenever  required  by  t 
Central  Labor  Union. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Duties  of  Officers. 

Section  i.— The  President  shall  preside  ai 
preserve  order  during  the  deliberations  of  tl 
body,  sign  all  orders  on  the  Treasurer  autho 
ized  by  the  delegates,  and  transact  such  oth 
business  usual  to  the  office  of  President. 

Sec.  2. — The  Vice-President  shall  perfor 
the  duties  of  the  President  in  case  of  absen 
or  resignation  of  that  officer,  and  shall  act  ; 
statistician  of  this  body  and  keep  watch  of  a 
reports  of  interest  to  labor  that  may  come 
his  notice. 

Sec.  3. — The  Recording  Secretary  shall  ke< 
a  correct  record  of  the  proceedings,  attest  ai 
orders  signed  by  the  President  and  Recordii 
Secretary  and  perform  such  other  duties  ; 
the  Constitution  and  By-laws  may  require  < 
him. 

Sec.  4. — The  Financial  Secretary-Trea 
urer  shall  receive  and  keep  a  record  of  a 
money  paid  into  the  Central  Labor  Union  ( 
Philadelphia  and  Vicinity,  and  shall  report  U 
fore  the  close  of  the  meeting  from  what  sour< 
such  money  was  received,  shall  pay  all  wa 
rants  for  moneys  ordered  paid.  He  shall  sen 
to  each  Section  affiliated,  on  the  first  day  c 
the  last  week  of  each  quarter,  a  blank  form  t 


13 


filled  out  by  the  Financial  Se.cretary-Treas- 
‘r  of  the  Trades  Section,  certifying  the 
fnber  of  the  Union  and  the  amount  due  by 
d  Sections.  All  money  to  be  deposited  in 
,k  in  the  name  of  trustees,  and  not  more  than 
o.oo  shall  be  held  on  hand,  and  to  give  bond 
$1,000.  i  , 

Sec.  5— The  Trustees  shall  have  charge  of 
property  belonging  .to  this  body,  and  the 
fairman  thereof  shall  sign  all  orders  for  with- 
Itwal  of  moneys  duly  authorized  from  the 
ijik.  They  shall  audit  the  accounts  and  books 
the  Financial  Secretary  and  Treasurer  every 
*ee  months,  and  report  the  result  of  said 
idit  at  the  next  regular  meeting. 

Stc.  6. — The  Chairman  of  Trustees  shall  sign 
order  for  the  withdrawal  of  any  money  ex¬ 
it  upon  motion  to  that  effect  adopted  by  this 
dy. 

Sec.  7. — The  Sergeant-at-Arms  shall  preserve 
der  and  see  that  none  but  delegates  are 
ited  in  the  body  of  the  hall.  He  shall  be 
;esent  fifteen  minutes  before  the  opening  of 
5  meeting,  and  have  the  roll  book,  and  when 
nching  the  delegate’s  card  shall  mark  him 
esent  therein.  He  shall  perform  such  other 
ities  as  may  be  assigned  to  him,  and  for  such 
ities  he  shall  receive  two  dollars  for  each 
eeting. 

ARTICLE  V. 

1 

Vacancies. 

‘Section  i. — Should  any  officer  absent  him- 
lf  from  three  consecutive  meetings  and  fail 


14 


to  present  a  valid  excuse,  his  office  shall  be 
declared  vacant  and  an  election  held  to  fill  the 
unexpired  term. 

Sec.  2. — Permanent  vacancies,  when  not 
otherwise  provided  for  in  the  constitution, 
caused  by  death  or  otherwise,  shall  be  filled  by 
an  election  at  the  next  regular  meeting. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

Quorum. 

Section  i. — Twenty-one  delegates,  represent¬ 
ing  a  majority  of  Sections  represented  in  this 
body,  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transac¬ 
tion  of  business  at  any  regular  or  special  meet¬ 
ing. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

Affiliation  Fee  of  Sections  in  Central  Labor 
Union. 

Section  i. — Unions  desiring  to  affiliate  with 
the  Central  Labor  Union,  shall  first  present 
their  credentials  to  the  Central  Labor  Union, 
the  same  to  be  accompanied  by  an  affiliation  fee 
of  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  ($2.50).  No  Sec¬ 
tion  shall  charge  less  than  $2.50  nor  more 
than  $25.00  entrance  fee  to  their  respective  Sec¬ 
tions. 

Sec.  2. — Any  Section  being  three  months  iu 
arrears  shall  be  notified  by  the  Financial  Sec¬ 
retary-Treasurer,  and  if  the  same  be  not  paid 
at  the  end  of  the  next  month,  said  Section  shall 
be  suspended. 


1 


I 


Representations  of  Unions  in  Sections. 

Sec.  o — Hach  Section  shall  decide  in  what 
Inanner  the  various  Unions  shall  be  represented 
In  the  Section. 

Representation  of  Sections  in  the  Central  Labor 
Union. 

Sec.  4.— Each  Section  shall  be  represented  in 
the  Central  Labor  Union  of  Philadelphia  and 
Vicinity  by  at  least  fifteen  delegates,  each 
Union  to  have  one  delegate. 

Qualifications  of  Local  Unions  in  the  Central 
Labor  Union. 

Sec.  5- — Local  Unions,  to  be  eligible  to  mem¬ 
bership  in  the  various  Sections  of  the  Central 
Labor  Union,  must  be  affiliated  with  their 
national  or  international,  where  said  national 
or  international  does  exist,  or  the  American 
Federation  of  Labor. 

Formation  of  Sections. 

t  SEC  6  —It  shall  require  five  local  unions  to 
]  form  a  Trade  Section  in  the  Central  Labor 
Union. 

Per  Capita  Tax  to  the  Central  Labor  Union. 

Sec  7  —The  various  Sections  shall  pay  to 
the  Central  Labor  Union  the  sum  of  one  dol¬ 
lar  ($1)  per  month  for  each  union  affiliated 

thS. — The  membership  cards  shall  bear  the 
dates  of  the  meetings  of  the  Central  Labor 
Union,  which  dates  shall  be  punched  by  the 
Sergeant-at-Arms  at  every  regular  meeting. 


16 


Sec.  9. — Membership  cards,  good  for  six 
months  or  until  their  successors  are  elected,  if 
they  are  withdrawn  before  the  expiration  of 
the  term  for  which  they  were  originally  elected, 
shall  be  issued  to  delegates  by  the  Financial 
Secretary-Treasurer  of  the  Central  Labor 
Union. 

Sectional  Differences. 

Sec.  10. — Any  differences  arising  within  a 
Section,  and  concerning  that  Section  only,  shall 
be  settled  by  that  Section  without  being  re¬ 
ferred  to  the  Central  Labor  Union.  In  case  either 
of  the  parties  to  the  dispute  are  dissatisfied 
with  the  ruling  of  their  Section,  the  case  may 
be  brought  up  on  appeal  to  the  Central  Labor 
Union. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

Boycotts  and  Grievances. 

Sec.  1. — No  Section  of  the  Central  Labor 
Union  shall  have  the  power  to  originate  a 
boycott,  and  no  Section  shall  indorse  and 
order  the  placing  of  the  name  of  anv  person, 
firm  or  corporation  on  an  unfair  list  until  the 
Local  Union  desiring  the  same  has,  before  de¬ 
claring  the  boycott,  submitted  the  matter  in 
dispute  to  the  Section  for  investigation,  and  has 
used  its  best  efforts  to  effect  an  amicable  set¬ 
tlement. 

SEC.  2. — Failing  to  effect  a  settlement,  the 
Section  shall  refer  the  matter  to  the  Central 
Labor  Union  with  a  request  for  the  placing  of 
the  person,  firm  or  corporation  on  the  unfair 
list.  The  Central  Labor  Union  shall  use  its  best 


17 


a 


endeavors  to  settle  the  matter  to  the  satisfac¬ 
tion  of  all  parties  concerned.  Failing  in  that, 
it  shall  then  declare  the  person,  firm  or  cor¬ 
poration  on  the  unfair  list. 

Ssc.  3- — Kacli  Section  shall  have  a  standing 
grievance  committee. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

Committees. 

Section  i.— At  the  first  meeting  in  January 
and  July  the  following  standing  committees 
shall  be  elected:  Five  or  more  to  constitute  a 
committee  and  to  be  elected.  Organization  Com¬ 
mittee,  Grievance  Committee,  Label  Committee, 
.Entertainment  and  Celebration  Committee, 
Boycott  Committee,  Credential  Committee,  and 

Executive  Board.'  ■■ 

Sec.  2. — The  Executive  Board  shall  consist 
of  one  delegate  from  each  Section,  to  be  elect¬ 
ed  by  Section,  said  delegate  to  be  a  delegate 
to  the  Central  Labor  Union.  The  Recording 
Secretary  of  the  Central  Labor  Union  shall 
be  the  Secretary  of  the  Executive  Board  with¬ 
out  voice  or  vote  in  same. 

ARTICLE  X. 

Duties  of  Committees. 

Section  i.— The  duties  of  the  Committee  on 
Organization  shall  be  to  encourage  and  as¬ 
s'  sist  in  the  formation  of  new  Unions  and  to 
visit  the  various  Unions  herein  represented 
whenever  required.  They  shall  receive  25 


cents  for  all  meetings  attended  by  order  of  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee. 

Sec.  2. — It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Commit¬ 
tee  on  Grievances  and  Arbitration  to  investi¬ 
gate  all  grievances  presented  by  affiliated  Sec¬ 
tions,  and  upon  request  attempt  to  amicably  ad¬ 
just  the  existing  difficulties  between  employees 
and  employers. 

Sec.  3. — The  duties  of  the  Label  Committee 
shall  be  to  visit  Unions,  merchants  and  others 
for  the  puroose  of  agitating  the  use  of  the 
label,  and  shall  use  every  means  to  bring  the 
different  labels  before  the  public.  The  mem¬ 
bers  shall  receive  the  sum  of  25  cents  for  each 
union  visited.  Any  union  having  a  label,  may 
make  donations  in  any  sum  it  sees  fit,  to  aid 
said  label  agitation,  and  moneys  so  contributed 
shall  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  said  commit¬ 
tee,  to  be  used  at  its  discretion  to  further  the 
label  propaganda,  subject  to  the  approval  of 
this  body. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

Strikes . 

Section  i. — If  an  organization  represented 
in  the  Central  Labor  Union  is  forced  into 
a  strike  after  all  honorable  endeavors  to  settle 
a  dispute  have  failed,  and  due  notification  As 
made  to  the  Central  Labor  Union  officially  in 
writing,  and  the  same  has  been  sanctioned, 
then  it  snail  be  the  duty  of  all  the  trade  and 
labor  organizations  represented  to  assist  the 
one  in  difficulty,  financially,  to  the  full  extent 
of  their  ability. 


I 


19 


ARTICLE  XII. 

Popular  Vote. 

Section  i. —  Whenever  a  proposition  is  sub¬ 
mitted  to  the  affiliated  Section  for  popular  vote, 
the  Recording  Secretary  shall  issue  to  each  Sec¬ 
tion  the  proposition  to  be  voted  upon,  and 
within  four  weeks  from  date  of  such  submis¬ 
sion  each  Section  is  required  to  notify  the 
Secretary  of  the  result  of  tne  vote  in  the  fol¬ 
lowing  form : 

Name  of  Section . 

Number  of  Members  present . . 

In  favor  of  proposition . 

Against  the  proposition . 

Sec.  2.— When  the  time  set  for  reporting  has 
passed  the  Recording  Secretary  shall  compile 
the  result  of  votes  as  follows : 

Section  having  voted . 

Total  number  of  votes  (tabulated). . 

For  the  proposition . 

Against  the  proposition . 

Sec.  3. — When  it  is  ascertained  that  the  re¬ 
quired  majority  for  the  measure  has  been  cast 
the  same  shall  be  declared  carried;  otherwise 
the  proposition  shall  be  declared  lost. 


20 


ARTICLE  XIII. 

Trade  Sections. 

Section  i. — In  order  to  secure  a  better  un¬ 
derstanding  among  the  kindred  trades  affili¬ 
ated  in  the  Central  Labor  Union  of  Philadel¬ 
phia  and  Vicinitv  the  following  trade  Sections 
shall  be  established : 

Grouping  of  Trades  Into  Their  Respective 
Sections. 

(a)  Building  Trades  Section,  comprising  all 
organizations  employed  in  the  construction,  re¬ 
pair  and  embellishment  of  buildings. 

(b)  Metal  Trades  Section,  comprising  all  or¬ 
ganizations  working  in  iron  and  metal,  with  the 
exception  of  those  engaged  in  building  con¬ 
struction. 

(c)  Marine  and  Transportation  Section,  com¬ 
prising  all  those  employed  as  marine  and  trans¬ 
port  workers. 

(d)  Printing  Trades  Section,  comprising  all 
those  engaged  in  the  printing  trades. 

(e)  Garment  Trades  Section,  comprising 
all  Unions  engaged  in  making  of  garments. 

(f)  Miscellaneous  Trades  Section,  to  be  com¬ 
prised  of  all  Unions  not  connected  with  any 
of  the  above  Sections. 

Sec.  2. — The  various  trades  shall  be  repre¬ 
sented  in  their  respective  Sections,  said  Sec¬ 
tions  to  be  represented  in  the  Central  Labor 
Union  of  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity,  such  as 
Building  Trades  Section,  Printing  Trades  Sec¬ 
tion,  Metal  Trades  Section,  Garment  Trades 


Section,  Building  Material  Manufacturers  Sec¬ 
tion,  Leather  Trades  Section,  Miscellaneous 
Trades  Section. 

Sec.  3. — These  Sections  shall  meet  at  least 
once  a  month,  and  if  possible  weekly,  at  such 
time  and  place  as  may  be  agreed  upon. 

Sec.  4. — The  proper  officer  of  each  Section 
shall  notify  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of 
the  Central  Labor  Union  of  Philadelphia  and 
Vicinity  at  once  of  any  action  of  that  Section 
that  may  require  indorsement  by  the  Central 
Labor  Union  of  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity. 

Sec.  5. — Each  Section  to  adopt  such  rules  as 
may  conform  to  the  crafts  they  represent  and  do 
not  conflict  with  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws 
of  the  Central  Labor  Union  of  Philadelphia  and 
Vicinity. 

Sec.  6. — In  all  cases  not  provided  for  the 
Sections  will  be  governed  by  the  Constitution, 
By-Laws  and  Rules  of  Order  of  the  Central 
Labor  Union  of  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

Disbarment. 

Section  i. — Whenever  a  Section  affiliated 
with  this  body  refuses  to  discinline  members 
against  whom  charges  have  been  preferred  for 
violating  any  laws,  resolutions  or  measures 
adopted  to  protect  the  interests  of  any  Union 
in  particular,  or  the  working  class  in  gen¬ 
eral,  or  whenever  a  Section  itself  fails  to  com¬ 
ply  with  such  regulations,  said  Section  shall  be 
debarred  from  representation  in  the  Central 
Labor  Union  of  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity,  and 


the  National  Union  to  which  such  organization 
may  be  attached  shall  be  notified,  submitting 
reasons  for  such  action. 

Sec.  2! — While  recognizing  the  conflicting  in¬ 
terests  of  the  wage  workers  in  various  or¬ 
ganizations  and  the  disputes  that  arise  from 
ignoring  the  rights  of  distinct  trades  to  con¬ 
trol  absolutely  all  work  falling  under  their 
jurisdiction,  we  declare  that  the  disbarment 
of  no  section  affiliated  with  the  Central  Labor 
Union  of  Philadelphia  and  Vicinity  shall  be 
ordered  before  charges  of  such  character  as 
mentioned  above  have  been  submitted  by  this 
bod}'  to  the  Executive  Council  of  the  Ameri¬ 
can  Federation  of  Labor,  with  the  request  that 
the  National  Union  of  such  organization  be 
called  upon  to  discipline  the  body  failing  to  act 
on  charges  preferred. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

Amendments. 

Section  i. — This  Constitution  shall  not  be 
altered  or  amended  except  in  a  regular  meet¬ 
ing  of  this  body,  and  with  the  concurrence  of 
two-thirds  of  the  delegates  present.  Notice 
of  an  alteration  or  an  amendment  must  be 
given  in  writing  at  a  previous  regular  meeting. 

Sec.  2. — Any  amendment  changing  the  ob¬ 
jects  of  this  organization,  the  representation  of 
Sections,  or  increasing  the  initiation  fee  or  per 
capita  tax  shall  be  submitted  to  a  popular  vote 
of  the  Section  represented,  and  shall  not  be 
approved  unless  a  majority  of  votes  cast  favor 
the  same. 


BY-LAWS 


Section  i. — The  regular  meetings  of  the 
Central  Labor  Union  of  Philadelphia  and  Vi¬ 
cinity  shall  be  held  on  the  second  and  fourth 
Sundays  of  each  month  at  2.30  P.  M.,  unless 
otherwise  determined. 

Sec.  2. — Special  meetings  may  be  called  by  a 
majority  of  the  Executive  Board. 

Sec.  3. — The  election  of  officers  shall  be  by 
ballot.  It  shall  require  a  majority  of  all  votes 
polled  to  elect.  Should  there  be  110  election  on 
the  first  ballot,  the  candidate  receiving  the  low¬ 
est  number  of  votes  shall  be  dropped  on  the 
second  ballot,  and  so  with  each  successive,  un¬ 
til  a  choice  can  be  reached. 

Sec.  4. — Election  shall  be  by  ballot.  Nomina¬ 
tions  shall  be  made  two  meetings  previous  to 
election.  The  Chair  shall  appoint  sufficient 
tellers  to  canvass  the  votes,  and  the  result  of 
the  election  shall  be  declared  according  to  the 
finding  of  the  tellers.  Nominations  shall  be 
made  in  the  meeting  prior  to  the  election. 

Sec.  5. — Th  e  President  shall  appoint  all 
special  committees  and  fill  all  vacancies,  when 
not  otherwise  provided  for. 

Sec.  6. — Ip  selecting  committees  not  more 
than  one  delegate  from  anv  Section  shall  be 
chosen,  unless  it  be  deemed  to  the  best  in¬ 
terest  of  this  body  to  diverge  from  this  rule. 


24 


Sec.  7. — All  special  committees  shall  report 
m  writing  at  the  next  stated  meeting  unless 
otherwise  ordered. 

Sec.  8. — The  funds  of  this  body  shall  not  be 
expended  for  any  other  purpose  than  the  up¬ 
building  and  organization  of  Unions;  the  es¬ 
tablishment  and,  maintenance  of  labor  halls  and 
headquarters  and  other  legitimate  expenses  of 
conducting  the  business  of  this  body.  In 
emergency  cases  funds  may  be  donated  to 
Unions  in  distress,  provided  the  affiliated 
Unions  have  exhausted  their  means  of  relief, 
when  a  majority  vote  shall  be  required  to 
adopt. 

Sec.  9. — Delegate  Cards,  good  for  six 
months,  shall  be  issued  to  delegates  by  the 
Financial  Secretary,  said  cards  to  contain  date 
of  meetings,  to  be  punched  by  Sergeant-at- 
Arms,  as  a  record  of  attendance  and  credential 
for  admission  to  the  meetings. 

Sec.  10. — For  the  faithful  performance  of 
their  duties  the  Recording  Secretary  and  the 
Financial  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  each  re¬ 
ceive  the  sum  of  $2.50  for  each  meeting. 

Sec.  11. — The  privileges  of  the  floor  may  be 
granted  to  members  of  any  trade  or  labor  or¬ 
ganization  not  represented  in  this  body,  or  vis¬ 
iting  delegation,  by  consent  of  the  majority  of 
delegates  present. 

Sec.  12. — Any  delegate  who  shall  use  disre¬ 
spectful  or  violent  personal  language,  or  refuse 
to  obey  the  President  when  called  to  order,  or 
misappropriate  any  funds  of  this  body,  or 
neglect  to  attend  to  any  duties  imposed  on  him, 
and  which  he  has  accepted,  shall  be  cited  to 


25 

appear  before  this  body  and  offer  an  explana¬ 
tion  or  apology  for  such  conduct :  and  in  the 
;  event  of  failure  so  to  appear,  or  to  make  what 
shall  be  deemed  sufficient  explanation  or  apol¬ 
ogy,  he  may  be  reprimanded  or  suspended  from 
this  body  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  delegates 
present,  and  if  suspended,  he  shall  be  ineligible 
to  again  represent  any  Union  in  this  body,  and 
his  Union  shall  be  immediately  notified  of  such 
action  and  the  cause  therefore,  with  request  to 
choose  another  delegate  in  his  place. 

Sec.  13. — These  By-Laws  can  be  amended  by 
a  vote  of  a  majority  of  the  members  present, 
provided  the  same  shall  have  been  presented  in 
writing  at  a  previous  regular  meeting. 


1 


ORDER  OF  BUSINESS 


1.  Call  to  Order. 

2.  Roll-call  of  Officers. 

3.  Presentation  of  Credentials. 

4.  Admission  of  Delegates. 

5.  Roll-call  of  Delegates. 

6.  Reading  of  Minutes. 

7.  Communications  and  Bills. 

8.  Reports  of  Officers. 

9.  Reports  of  Committees. 

10.  Reports  of  Sections. 

11.  Unfinished  Business.  (Nomination  and 
Election  of  Officers;  Installation  of  Officers). 

12.  New  Business. 

13.  Welfare  of  Body. 

14.  Receipts  and  Expenses — Itemized. 

15.  Adjournment. 


RULES  OF  ORDER 


i  On  motion  the  regular  order  of  business 
lav  be  suspended  by  a  majority  vote  of  the 
meeting  at  any  time,  to  dispose  of  any  urgent 

business.  .  .  .  U11  * 

2.  All  resolutions  and  resignations  shall  be 

Submitted  in  writing.  ... 

Any  conversation  by  whispering  or  other- 
vise,  which  is  calculated  to  disturb  a  member 
while  speaking,  or  hinder  the  transaction  ot 
.msiness,  shall  be  deemed  a  violation  of  order. 

а.  All  questions  of  a  parliamentary  nature 

lot  provided  for  in  these  rules  shall  be  decided 
by  Cushing’s  Manual.  .  ^ 

e  A  motion  to  be  entertained  by  the  Pre¬ 
siding  officer  must  be  seconded,  and  the  mover 
as  well  as  seconder  must  rise  and  be  recognized 
by  the  Chair ;  lengthy  motions  to  be  reduced  to 

writing.  .  ,  .  r  ^ 

б.  In  presenting  a  motion,  a  brief  statement 
of  its  object  may  be  made,  but  no  discussion  o± 
its  merits  shall  be  admitted  until  the  question 
is  stated  by  the  Chair. 

7,  Any  member  having  made  a  motion  can 
withdraw  it  by  consent  of  his  second,  but  a 
motion  once  debated  cannot  be  withdrawn  ex¬ 
cept  bv  unanimous  consent. 

8.  A  motion  to  amend  an  amendment  shall 
be  in  order,  but  no  mcftion  to  amend  an  amend¬ 
ment  to  an  amendment  shall  be  permitted. 


28 


9.  Any  member  may  call  for  a  division  of 
question  when  the  subject  admits  thereof 
io  A  motion  shall  not  be  subject  to  deba 
t]  wuaS  been  stated  bv  the  Chair. 
ctJn  ■  en  f  member  wishes  the  floor.  1 
shall  rise  and  respectfully  address  the  Chai 

mJ ,oa!ao’oiby  ,he  Chair’  h' sha"  b'  ” 

12.  If  two  or  more  members  rise  to  speak  s 

«HSe,d™’(i^,cl'air  sha"  i 

avoid  all  personal  and  indecorous  language. 

14-  No  member  shall  interrupt  another  whil 

nenklV%  eXfpt  t0  a  point  of  order,  and  hi 
sha  definitely  state  the  point,  and  the  Chai: 
shall  decide  the  same  without  debate. 

order  h?  ^iw^’  w,.bile  sPeaking-  be  called  tc 
order,  he  shall  take  his  seat  until  the  point  ol 

order  is  decided,  when,  if  decided  in  order  he 
may  ptoceed.  ’ 

16.  If  any  member  shall  feel  himself  person 
ally  aggrieved  by  a  decision  of  the  Chair  he 
may  appeal  to  the  body  from  the  decision 

17.  W  hen  an  appeal  is  made  from  the  de¬ 
cision  of  the  Chair  the  Vice-President  shall 
take  charge  of  the  meeting ;  the  question  shall 

.  Put  m  the  following  manner :  Shall  the  de¬ 
cision  of  the  Chair  be  sustained  as  the  decision 
of  this  meeting?  The  member  will  then  have1 
~*?ht  t0  ?,tat<: the  grounds  of  his  appeal,  and 
the  Chair  will  give  the  reason  for  his  decision ; 
thereupon  the  body  will-  proceed  to  vote  on  the 
appeal  without  further  debate. 


\ 


29 


[  8.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  once 
the  same  subject  until  all  members  desiring 
floor  shall  have  spoken,  and  not  more  than 
ce  without  consent ;  and  not  longer  than  ten 
nutes  at  any  one  time. 

j9.  When  a  question  is  before  the  meeting  no 
,tion  shall  be  in  order  exceot : 
i.  To  adjourn. 

>.  To  lay  on  the  table. 

For  the  previous  question. 

1.  To  postpone  to  a  given  time, 
r’j.  To  refer  to  recommit, 
t'.  To  amend. 

id  these  several  motions  shall  have  prece¬ 
de  in  the  order  herein  arranged. 

]>o.  The  following  motions  are  not  debatable : 
ji.  To  adjourn. 

3.  To  lay  on  the  table. 

1 2.  To  read  a  document  or  paper. 
pi.  When  the  previous  question  is  moved 
d  seconded  it  shall  be  put  in  this  form: 
hall  the  main  question  now  be  put?”  If  tnis 
^carried,  all  further  motions,  amendments  and 
bate  shall  be  excluded  and  the  question  put 
thout  delay. 

22.  If  a  motion  has  been  amended,  the  ques- 
>n  on  the  amendment  has  been  offered,  the 
estion  shall  then  be  put  as  follows: 
a.  Amendment  to  the  amendment. 

,b.  Amendment, 
c.  Original  motion. 

y2 3.  When  a  question  is  postponed  indefinitely 
shall  not  come  up  again,  except  upon  unani- 
Jous  consent. 

24.  Before  putting  a  question  to  vote  the 


Presiding  Officer  shall  ask:  “Is  the  body  ready 
for  the  question  ?”  Then  it  shall  be  in  order 
for  debate.  If  no  member  rises  to  speak,  the 
Presiding  Officer  shall  then  put  the  question, 
and  after  the  vote  is  taken,  he  shall  imme¬ 
diately  announce  the  result. 

25.  When  the  Presiding  Officer  has  com¬ 
menced  taking  a  vote  no  further  debate  or  re¬ 
marks  shall  be  allowed,  unless  a  mistake  has 
been  made,  in  which  case  the  mistake  shall  be 
rectified,  and  the  Presiding  Officer  shall  recom¬ 
mence  taking  the  vote. 

26.  Before  the  Presiding  Officer  declares  the 
vote  on  a  question  any  member  may  ask  for  a 
division  of  the  house ;  then  the  Chair  is  in  duty 
bound  to  comply  with  the  request,  and  a  stand¬ 
ing  vote  shall  be  taken. 

27.  Every  member  present  shall  vote  on  all 
questions  before  the  body  unless  personally  in¬ 
terested  or  excused  by  the  body. 

28.  When  a  blank  is  to  be  filled,  the  question 
shall  be  taken  first  upon  the  highest  sum  or 
number,  or  the  longest  or  latest  time. 


3  0112  105341645 


